PEMBROKE – Despite another double-double effort by junior Marissa Baker, the Lady Braves were shut out by Peach Belt Conference rival Flagler, 25-14, 25-18 and 25-22, on Saturday afternoon at the English E. Jones Center. 

Flagler's (11-6, 4-0 PBC) defense proved to be too much for UNCP (5-13, 0-5), as the Lady Braves were out-blocked at the net 14-6. Baker earned her second straight double-double, picking up 10 kills and 11 digs for the Black and Gold. Emilee Taylor was the leading hitter for the Saints with 12 kills and a .300 hitting percentage. 

The Lady Braves were able to keep pace with the Saints throughout the beginning of the first set, tying up the score three separate times. Caitlyn Kovach put the set away for Flagler when she went on a nine-point serving run.

Sawyer Gray started UNCP off strong in the second set, as the junior helped fuel a 4-0 run, including one service ace. Flagler's Rachel Stacy would then serve eight continuous points, putting the Saints ahead 11-5. UNCP would bring the game back within five points, 17-12, before Flagler closed out the set on a 5-3 run, once again behind the serving of Stacy.

In the final set, the Lady Braves had their strongest hitting performance, registering 12 kills, to keep the set close. A kill from Julie Larsen tied the score up 13 apiece when UNCP capitalized on back-to-back Flagler errors to take the lead 16-13. The Saints took control to close out the set on a 10-4 run, finishing the match with a service ace from Amelia Morgan.

UNCP will look to regroup at home when they host PBC competitor Augusta State (9-9, 1-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. at the English E. Jones Center. 

To watch the full game click HERE.